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Display Films

It All Starts Here

Our breakthrough technologies start with paper-thin films that enhance color, and shape and reflect light, in ways that were once impossible.

Used in various combinations, our optical films harness the power of light to make LCD displays brighter and more colorful, while increasing energy efficiency and enhancing the overall eco-profile of LCD displays.

Optical Films

3M Color: Stunningly Vibrant Color from 3M™ QDEF technology

3M Quantum Dot Enhancement Film (QDEF) is arguably the most amazing color advancement in LCD history. It expands the range of colors that can be expressed by liquid crystal displays and results in color performance approximately equal to that offered by organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. Around here, we refer to this game-changing piece of quantum dot technology as 3M Color.

What does it do, and where is it used?

What Does it Do?

Provides a richer viewing experience by increasing the color gamut of the display and generating up to 50% more color than other films.

Increases energy efficiency by using less light than is needed with standard white LEDs and color filters.

Where is it used?
3M QDEF films can be used in any LCD display – from TVs to tablets and from laptops to mobile phones.

ESR: Best Reflector in the World

The Enhanced Specular Reflector (ESR) film, or mirror film, is the most reflective surface on the planet. And we invented it! This astonishing innovation provides mirror-like reflectivity over the full visible spectrum and across all angles, creating a brighter, more stunning picture that is easier to see from almost any angle.

What does it do, and where is it used?

What Does it Do?

Reflects ~99% of light, allowing more light to be recycled and reflected for a brighter display

Reduces the amount of energy needed to power an LCD display

Helps broaden viewing angle by increasing the brightness of light coming through the display

Where is it used?
ESR films can be integrated into the backlight of any LCD display – from TVs and desktop displays to laptops, tablets, phones and mobile devices.

ESR films can also be used to manage and optimize light for applications in other industries, such as:

Architectural lighting

Automotive

Solar lighting

DBEF: Extreme Light Management

The world's first reflecting polarizer, 3M's Dual Brightness Enhancement Films (DBEFs) recycle light that would otherwise be absorbed and lost. By increasing the overall amount of light exiting the display, this gem of optical genius maintains color and picture uniformity and makes the display brighter - without impacting the viewing angle.

What does it do, and where is it used?

What Does it Do?

Manages distribution of polarized light, allowing more light to come through the display

Optimizes display brightness at all angles

Helps increase the energy efficiency of a display, especially when used with brightness enhancing and mirror films.

Where is it used?
Multilayer brightness enhancing films are used to increase the brightness and efficiency of any LCD display – from TVs and desktop displays to laptops, tablets and mobile devices.

BEF: Focusing Light On the Viewer

With a name that speaks for itself, our Brightness Enhancement Films (BEFs) capture light and make it brighter. How to they do it? They send usable light towards the viewer and reflect most of the remaining light back into the display, where it is recycled. A single BEF film can enhance display brightness up to 60%, and two can increase it by 120%.

What does it do, and where is it used?

What Does it Do?

Manages the angle of light exiting your display

Reduces the energy needed to power a display

Optimizes light and makes the display much brighter

Where is it used?
Brightness enhancing films are used to increase the brightness and efficiency of any LCD display – from TVs and desktop displays to laptops, tablets and mobile devices.

Barrier Films

Flexible Transparent Barrier Film: Extra Device Protection

One of the most amazing 3M inventions to show up on the display scene, our barrier film is thinner and lighter than the glass barriers traditionally used to protect displays from water vapor transmission and oxygen transmission. Plus, it's completely flexible, it fills bright, colorful displays even more gorgeous color – and you can't crack it!

What does it do, and where is it used?

What Does it Do?

Protects your display from water vapor transmission and oxygen transmission

Where is it used?
Barrier films can be used to protect nearly any LCD display from water and oxygen transmission. Its flexibility and transparency make it a superior choice to glass barriers typically used in display technology.

Barrier films can also be used in other applications and industries, such as:

Food packaging

Solar cells

e-Paper, e-tags, and other electrophoretic applications

A Glimpse at the Future

3M advancements in light management increase the performance of LCD displays by making them brighter, more colorful, and more efficient – especially when used together.

But the innovating doesn't stop here. Our scientists are constantly combining big ideas with possibility and expertise to bring more firsts to light.